Weekend Warrior for Saturday, Jan. 6: Picks for Kitten's Joy, Mucho Macho Man, San Gabriel

Wintry weather across the country has greatly affected the national racing landscape, as jurisdictions such as New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have been forced to reschedule or cancel races the past two weeks. Unfortunately for people living in those areas, there doesn’t appear to be any relief on the way soon.

The good news for racing fans: It looks like Florida and California should be in good shape this weekend, so Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita will get the lion’s share of my attention.

Kitten’s Joy

A field of eight 3-year-old males will go in the Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream, and I believe there’s a fair amount of quality signed on. FLAMEAWAY pressed legitimate fractions and faded to eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and SPEED FRANCO comes into this race in raging form, having destroyed a field of 11 in the Pulpit at Gulfstream on Dec. 9 by six lengths. Each is a legitimate win candidate, but I think FAST BOAT could potentially turn into a serious racehorse for Christophe Clement. Fast Boat ran a respectable third in his career debut at Belmont on Oct. 28, and the form of that race looks even stronger following an exceptional stakes victory by Analyze It at Del Mar and Fast Boat’s subsequent maiden score at Gulfstream on Dec. 8. This son of City Zip is still a bit on the green side, as he can pull early and has swapped leads a few times down the lane. But his upside is enormous, and he figures to be tough Saturday.

Mucho Macho Man

The names most folks will gravitate toward in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream are the usual suspects: Pletcher (BAL HARBOUR, COLTANDMISSISSIPPI), Brown (MASK), and Romans (DAK ATTACK). Each trainer brings serious talent to the table Saturday, but a more low-profile outfit also brings what looks to be a nice 3-year-old to the party. SANTIAMEN, trained by Antonio Sano, makes his stakes debut after two impressive wins to begin his racing career. The most recent race was particularly impressive, as he displayed an element of professionalism and fight that he’ll need if he’s to prevail Saturday. Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the mount, and he should have every opportunity to place Santiamen in an advantageous position. Considering the other names present, Santiamen should offer a square price in the Mucho Macho Man.

San Gabriel

ITSINTHEPOST and ISOTHERM are the horses to beat in the San Gabriel at Santa Anita, but I have reservations about each. I’m as big a fan of Itsinthepost as you’ll find, but I believe he’s best going a longer distance than the nine furlongs he’ll run Saturday. The shorter distance doesn’t preclude him from winning (3 for 5 going nine furlongs), but I’m not sure we’ll see his “A” effort at anything shorter than 10 furlongs. As for Isotherm, this is his first start since the Santa Anita Handicap last March, and he’s another who likely does better with more distance. The San Gabriel could simply be a tightener for next month’s San Marcos. FLAMBOYANT is the opposite of Itsinthepost and Isotherm. He’s been running at distances that seem a bit too far for him, and the turn-back to nine furlongs should hit him squarely between the eyes. He has kept good company recently and has run respectably, but the lack of recent wins may turn some handicappers off (last win came in February 2016). I think getting back to a more favorable distance over a turf course he’s had success on will make all the difference for Flamboyant in the San Gabriel.